The US EPA today announced they have granted Sole Source Aquifer designation to the Mahomet Aquifer in Central Illinois! Thanks to everyone who called, wrote, emailed and attended public hearings on this issue. This is a significant step in the long road to protecting and preserving this vital source of water. What better way to spotlight National Groundwater Awareness Week than with this major step to protect our groundwater. Celebrate today with a glass of clear, sweet Mahomet Aquifer water!

Mahomet Aquifer Summit in Champaign this Saturday (7/12/14): Call to action and latest information on the efforts to protect the Mahomet Aquifer from possible contamination as a result of toxic wastes including MGP cleanups being dumped in the Clinton Landfill over the aquifer. How did this happen? What can you do to protect your water – and the water for future generations of Central Illinois families, farms and businesses? Hear from geological and legal experts, and find out what is being done and how you can help. Also, state and local elected officials will be sharing what they are doing to protect this vital source of water. The meeting, sponsored by the city of Champaign, will be held at the Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green St., from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Also, check out this web site for information and ways to get involved: Champaign County Health Care Consumers

Illinois Senator Chapin Rose announced today at the University of Illinois Prairie Research Institute a collaborative effort to find alternative ways to dispose of waste contaminated with PCB’s. The institute will begin a research project aimed at keeping these toxic chemicals out of landfills and finding an environmentally sustainable method to dispose of them. This is a collaboration between state, federal and U of I resources to address this important issue. The initiative received support from Sen. Rose, Sen. Mike Frerichs, Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, U.S. Congressman Rodney Davis and U.S. Senators Mark Kirk and Dick Durbin . The stated goal of the project, “protection of the Mahomet Aquifer from PCB threat,” is a result of the ongoing work being done by Rose’s Mahomet Aquifer Working Group to address potential problems with having a landfill situated directly over the Mahomet Aquifer. Rose said the aim of the project is to research the alternate methods available and to find a “win-win” answer to the problem of PCB-contaminated sites. The solution needed is to find a permanent way to dispose of the cleanup waste instead of just moving it from one hole in the ground to another, especially a hole that is over the main water source for Central Illinois. This is an important step in addressing a critical issue for the state of Illinois. Thank you Sen. Rose for spearheading this important project!

Wow, what a great day! It’s energizing to hear our elected officials express their commitment to protecting our valuable water supply in the Mahomet Aquifer. Thanks to State Sen. Mike Frerichs, State Rep. Dan Brady, mayors Laurel Prussing (Urbana), Chris Koos (Normal), Tari Renner (Bloomington), Don Gerard (Champaign), county board chairs Al Kurtz (Champaign), Sherrie Brown (DeWitt), Matt Sorensen (McLean) for taking time from your busy schedules to participate today. Your interest is noted and appreciated! Special thanks to the town of Normal and the city of Bloomington for sponsoring this event. A more complete wrap-up of the day will be posted soon, along with video links and contact information.